The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index gained 128.72 points, or 1.08%, during the week, to close at 12,009.54. Market capitalisation increased by 0.70% to reach QR636.56bn compared to QR632.15bn at the end of the previous week. Of the 43 listed companies, 32 ended the week higher, while 10 fell and one remained unchanged. Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Co (QGRI) was the best performing stock for the week, with a gain of 3.91% on only 3,715 shares traded. On the other hand, Ahli Bank (ABQK) was the worst performing stock with a decline of 3.87% on only 883 shares traded.
Ezdan Holding Group (ERES), Qatar Islamic Bank (QIBK) and Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQK) were the primary contributors to the weekly index gain. ERES topped the pack, adding 51.39 points to the index. QIBK tacked on 13.75 points, while CBQK contributed another 12.47 points. On the other hand, QNB Group (QNBK) and Gulf International Services (GISS) contributed negatively to the index. QNBK and IQCD shaved 9.08 and 7.30 points off the index, respectively.
Trading value during the week decreased by 27.29% to reach QR720.38bn vs QR990.77bn in the prior week. The real estate sector led the trading value during the week, accounting for 32.58% of the total trading value. The banks and financial services sector was the second biggest contributor to the overall trading value, accounting for 25.06% of the total. Barwa Real Estate Co (BRES) was the top value traded stock during the week with total value of QR120.7mn.
Trading volume decreased by 15.42% to reach 17.71mn shares vs 20.94mn in the prior week. The number of transactions decreased by 3.86% to reach 11,493 versus 11,954 in the prior week. The real estate sector led the trading volume, accounting for 47.68%, followed by the Industrials sector, which accounted for 18.44%. ERES was the top volume traded stock during the week with total volume of 4.9mn shares.
Foreign institutions turned bullish during the week with net selling of QR11.9mn vs selling of QR107.5mn in the prior week. Qatari institutions remained bullish with net buying of QR30.9mn vs net buying of QR47.8mn the week before. Foreign retail investors turned bullish for the week with net buying of QR10.9mn vs net selling of QR8.4mn in the prior week. Qatari retail investors turned bearish with net selling of QR53.8mn vs net buying of QR68.3mn the week before.
In 2015 year to date, foreign institutions bought (on a net basis) $469mn worth of Qatari equities.
